Manchester Central Zone - inbound only

[RikGarner]

Why can't one buy a ticket outbound from Manchester Central Zone to an eligible station? I get a day return from HTC into Manchester MCZ and use the tram from Piccadilly to get to my office close to Victoria (as permitted by the ticket). Occasionally I get a lift into work, but then I can't buy the same trip home. Is it not permitted or just that the apps don't support it?

 

[jfollows]

HTC is what, please?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Starting from a Manchester Metrolink tram stop, think you'd probably need to buy an appropriate multi-mode single ticket to destination "Rail Zone 1", which zone includes Heaton Chapel (='HTC'). Not 100% sure whether you can do this from the City Centre, though, but fairly sure you can do so from elsewhere.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Fares don’t exist from METROLINK CTLZ.

Singles from one station in Greater Manchester to another include METROLINK CTLZ as the route, so valid on the tram in the city centre zone.

So the cheapest way to get what you want is a single from somewhere like Moston to Heaton Chapel.

 

[xotGD]

It ought to be possible to buy a ticket from any station to METROLINK CTLZ.

Why those of us starting our journey from further afield do not have this option is a pain.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

It ought to be possible to buy a ticket from any station to METROLINK CTLZ.

Why those of us starting our journey from further afield do not have this option is a PITA.

From further afield, i.e. origin railway stations outside of Greater Manchester, you can always buy a through single or return ticket to 'GM Metrolink Z1' as the destination. That's the Central Zone.

 

[xotGD]

From further afield, i.e. origin railway stations outside of Greater Manchester, you can always buy a through single or return ticket to 'GM Metrolink Z1' as the destination. That's the Central Zone.

Brilliant!

I didn't know such a destination existed. Thank you.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Brilliant!

I didn't know such a destination existed. Thank you.

From memory, it's a fixed price add-on to the fare to Manchester Stations. I can't remember if the fixed price is discounted by a railcard or not. But my recollection is that it doesn't present any saving compared to using contactless or buying a separate ticket for the tram.

 

[Haywain]

I can't remember if the fixed price is discounted by a railcard or not.

It isn't and can't be added to a railcard discounted ticket, as far as I know.

 

[jfollows]

It isn't and can't be added to a railcard discounted ticket, as far as I know.

Good point - No fares available when I ask for a railcard-discounted ticket but fares otherwise I see.

 

[RikGarner]

Fares don’t exist from METROLINK CTLZ.

What's the reason for this? Is it technical or political?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Fares don’t exist from METROLINK CTLZ.

What's the reason for this? Is it technical or political?

If such a ticket were available, where would you be buying it from?

 

[yorkie]

It ought to be possible to buy a ticket from any station to METROLINK CTLZ.

I believe that Greater Manchester only want local people to gain central zone validity at no extra cost

Those travelling further afield are required to pay extra* and forego a Railcard discount!

(or, of course, you can "split", i.e. buy a combination of two or more tickets; it can actually be cheaper to "split" at the first station in Greater Manchester anyway, even if you don't require the additional validity).

A similar, but even more punitive, principle applies regarding cross-Manchester travel; if the origin and destination are within GM, it's included at no extra cost. If the origin and/or destination are beyond Greater Manchester, it is not included. i.e. it's for local people making local journeys. They really don't want their citizens making journeys to the superior side of the Pennines for example

e.g. Littleborough to Bramhall £4.20 including tram

Purchase flexible walk-up fares for any British train journey

Purchase flexible single/return tickets & Travelcards – in 3 clicks. Full details of all British rail fares shown, with built-in Season Ticket Calculator.

www.brfares.com

Littleborough to Poynton £13.80 excluding tram

Purchase flexible walk-up fares for any British train journey

Purchase flexible single/return tickets & Travelcards – in 3 clicks. Full details of all British rail fares shown, with built-in Season Ticket Calculator.

www.brfares.com

Walsden to Bramhall £18.40 excluding tram (no extra cost to go beyond Bramhall to Poynton)

Look up fares for any train journey in Britain

Full details of all British rail Single, Return & Season tickets and Travelcards. Built-in Season Ticket Calculator.

www.brfares.com

 

[Tetchytyke]

If such a ticket were available, where would you be buying it from?

It don’t see a reason why it couldn’t work in the same way that a ticket to METROLINK CTLZ is issued: it simply replaces Manchester Stations as the origin.

Back in the day when you could only get your train tickets at the railway station it probably made sense; if you’re already at the railway station you don’t need the tram validity. But now most people buy their tickets on their phone.

I believe that Greater Manchester only want local people to gain central zone validity at no extra cost

It’s more that British Rail didn’t want to pay for the validity on the trams way back in 1992, so they didn’t. And that situation has persisted ever since.

It could easily be resolved, but quite rightly TfGM won’t offer the validity without being recompensed for it. GBR, it’s over to you.

 

[rich-leeds]

Apologogies for bumping this, but it appears to be an initiative from 2005, as reported here : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/4385122.stm

People travelling into Manchester city centre by train can now use the tram network at no extra cost.
Passengers who catch a train from a station inside Greater Manchester are also able to use their ticket to travel between eight Metrolink stations.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) said it wanted to make it as easy as possible for people to travel in the city without a car.

The executive is trying to promote environmentally-friendly transport.

All passengers need to do is show their train ticket to tram inspectors.

The ticket must state "Manchester Ctlz" as the destination.

I’d originally assumed it might have been an overhang from the early days of Metrolink, perhaps linked to the period when GMPTE set local rail fares (up to 1997).


However, I’ve since realised that GMPTE / TfGM didn’t set tram fares when the network first opened — under the original concession, fares were set commercially by the operator until 2011.

 

[Djgr]

However, I’ve since realised that GMPTE / TfGM didn’t set tram fares when the network first opened — under the original concession, fares were set commercially by the operator until 2011.

Ah, the joys of outsourcing